Garmin Launches Live Segments for Forerunner 735XT

Español

Español

Cambiar idioma

Garmin released the update last weekend, albeit in a somewhat secretive manner. 4.20 version featured support for Strava segments in the change logto make it disappear hours later.

Finally this week it became official through from his blog, thus converting the Forerunner 735XT (of which you can find the full analysis here) in the first watch capable of displaying live Strava segments, just like the Edge units. With a small difference, in addition to cycling segments as in cyclo computers, we can also synchronize running segments.

One more reason to destroy all your workouts in which you have to shoot at 4:30, and suddenly your coach finds himself with activities in which there are stretches made at 3:20 without coming ...

Incorporating them into the clock is very simple, I will show you how you can do it below.

Send Strava segments to the clock

The way to work with the Strava segments is exactly the same as with the Edge units. The first thing to remember is that to make use of this function you need to have a Premium account, although with the purchase of a 735XT you will 60-day free trial just like the Edge units.

In Strava you must search To mark a segment as a favorite, simply click on the star to the left of the segment's name.

Once you've marked all the segments you're interested in, simply synchronize the clock the way you want it - either with the USB cable or, much more conveniently, with your mobile phone. You don't even have to do it right away if you're not about to go out and train, the clock will receive the marked segments on your next synchronization.

Not only Strava segments, but also Garmin

Although Garmin promotes this new feature as Strava segments, we can also use it with Garmin's own segments found in Connect, which, like Strava, we can also create from activities.

You have to choose between one or the other, you can't have both assets. The quickest way to switch between them is through the mobile application (don't look on the Garmin Connect website because it's a hassle). Simply access the segments section and click on the top menu to select which ones you want to use.

The application will show you a complete list of all the segments you have been through (remember that when you review an activity you can create your own). The icon on the right will indicate whether it is a running or cycling segment. By clicking on each of them you will find an icon in the upper right hand corner that will allow you to send the segment directly to the clock, although doing it from Connect is more convenient.

To do this, simply select all the ones you want to synchronize (marking them as favorites, on the web or in the application) and click on send to device, selecting the Garmin Forerunner 735XT as the receiver of the segments. Then select what you want to synchronize (favorites, all completed, only the ones you have created, etc.), and click on "Send now".

And after synchronizing the watch as before, via USB or Bluetooth, the selected segments will already be on the watch ready to be browsed and begin to beat their times.

Competing against a segment

Well, you already have the segments loaded into the watch. You don't need to do anything else in the setup, as the segments are already active and the watch will alert you when you are approaching one of them.

But before you start running like a headless chicken, the device will let you check the segments you have synchronized. You will find them within the training menu of the activity you have activated, under the sub-menu Segments or Strava Segments, depending on what you have selected.

When you access them, you will see that they are differentiated by type of segment: cycling or running.

By selecting the type you will find a list of all synchronized segments, where you can scroll to select the one you want to consult the information on, as well as showing basic information about it such as length or slope.

Entering a particular segment, the first option presented is the "Race Time" option. Here podhen select against which time you want to compete: against your personal best, against the segment leader (KOM or QOM) or against the fastest time from your contact list.

You can also consult a map, although since there is no cartography of any kind, it is not very helpful.

What can be useful is to check the height profile, to know how the segment develops and to establish a strategy to run it. In this case... totally flat, to give everything from the beginning!

Well, once you've established the tactics for getting the KOM in question, it's time to take action. You'll simply start running in a completely normal fashion: you start the running activity and hit the start. At no point should you specify anything about the use of segments.

When you approach a segment you have selected, the watch will warn you that you are approaching a "hot spot" (as if it were a Pokemon) and will start an indication of the remaining distance to the starting point. If you want to be nice to your trainer, podhen cancel it by pressing the scroll down button.

When you reach the start point the segment start screen will appear along with the time to beat (the one you previously selected) and the minimum target pace to reach it, based on the time you previously chose. In this case I'm trying to improve my personal record (RP) for this segment which is 28 seconds, which means running faster than 2:43 min/km while taking pictures... it's going to be difficult.

While you are running it you will have the necessary information to know if you are on the way to achieve a record or not. At the top you will be able to see the time for or against, the remaining distance to complete the segment and the pace at which you are doing it. You can quickly see if the time is in your favor because of the color of the screen background, in black if you are behind or in white if you equal or exceed it.

After completing the segment, the screen will display a notification of the completed segment with the time achieved, indicating if you have exceeded your record (or the KOM if you had selected it or not). In the case of the image, I was 47 seconds below the target time, so the body would ask me to turn around and do it again much faster.

After arriving with your tongue out, you can continue your training normally... until you come across another segment and have to run like a headless chicken again. Admit it, it's inevitable.

If you want to behave well and nothing distracts you from your training, you can deactivate the segments from the activity menu itself (which is activated by default).

To date, the only watch that supports Strava (or Garmin in any case) segments is the Forerunner 735XT. Whether these segments will be added to other models in the Forerunner 735XT or Fenix 3 Garmin range has not been decided.

However, it should be noted that the 735XT has greater processor capacity than other models (only the Vivoactive HR is at its height), so it is possible that previous models may not be able to support the new function.

If you want to read the full test of the 735XT you have it available hereAnd don't forget to look at the prices, because right now there are very good bargains. Amazon Italy in only 338 or, in Amazon France, the complete Tri pack (with HRM-Tri and HRM-Swim sensors) for only 444.

And with that... thanks for reading!